Machine for securing fastener elements



Aug-"2 1933- c. ANDERSON Er Al. 2,125,707

MACHINE FOR SECURING FASTNER ELEMENTS' Filedllay 10, V1935 7Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORJ ATTORNEY.

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` c. ANDERsoN ITAL MACHINE FOR SECURING FASTENEE ELEMENTS Filed may 1o,1935 7 sheets-sheet s Z zzf Aug. 2, 1938. c. ANDERSON 4P r AL 2,425,707I v MACHINE FOR SECURING FASTENER ,ELEMENTS Filed My 1o, 1935 7sheets-sheet 4 Il BY 6 A m f .A M Emmy# .o ,mitm A ,wi/K AMMH mimm ,u

Aug.- 2, 1938. 1 c. ANDERSON ET AL I MACHINE FOR SECURING FASTENERELEMENTS t a u m e H M e W.N.. NE V m E MAH v W #2.5m W .Tv 1 A e ...12.N 7 m w Afmf 645 v MRM@ MMA cfm Z IW Filed May 10, 1955 Aug'."2, `1938.c. ANDERSON r-:r Al.

MACHINE Fon sEcuRrNG FASTENER' ELEMENTS Filed May- 10. 1935 7Sheets-Sheet 6 Il Y l 'b4/rz Magg/@EPM f ffm fz CHA/nfs 7. MMV/l f ATTNEY.

Aug 2, 1938. c. ANDERsoN ErAL 2,125,707

MACHNE FOR SECURING FASTENER ELEMENTS Patented Aug. 2, 1938 PATENTOFFICE MACHINE FOR ASECURING: IE'ASTENER ELEMENTS Carl Anderson, GeorgeB. Baehr, and Gilman M. Gay, Waterbury, and Charles T. Manville,Woodbury, Conn., assignors to `United'. States Rubber Products, Inc.,New York, N. Y., a cor poration of Delaware i Application May 10, 1935,Serial )10.20.806 j se claims. (ol. 15a- 1) Our invention relates 'to amachine for securing fastener'elements of the slide fastener type totape. edges. l

, Machines for fastening the small fastener elements. which areinterlocked by a slider to the edges of the supporting tapes have.heretofore generally comprised reciprocating mechanisms of considerableweight so that if the machines were run at high speeds, dangerousvibrations or pounding occurred. Also the prior machineshave rbeenrelatively heavy and. complicated so that they were permanentlymounted,and in case of repair the machines had to be stopped anddisassembled in situ. l5 By Vour invention we provide a light machineWhichhas no heavy reciprocating mechanisms, and which is light andreadily transportablev so as to be replaceable with its base if need forrepairs should arise. Also the number of parts has 0 been reduced andsimplified to provide a machine of simple design, having a minimumnumber of moving parts, which islight, which is easy of adjustment, andwhich may be operated at high speeds and at low cost for power; repairand initial outlay. In general the moving parts of the machine areactuated by cams attached to various shafts, thereby dispensing withmany of the reciprocating parts heretofore found such machines.

Various improvements have been made in the 'submechanisms for handlingthe tapev and the v elements,A for counting, for skip-feeding, forclamping, etc., which will appeal' from the following detaileddescription.

The accompanying drawings illustrate a present preferred vembodiment ofthe invention, in which: .Y

Fig. l is a front elevational view of a machine embodying our invention;

' 40 Fig. 2 is a broken plan view of the machine;

Fig. 3 is a. side elevational view'of the machine,

a portion of the chute being removed; l Fig. 4 is a sectional view ofthe spacing, counting, and skip-feeding mechanism taken substan- 45tially on the section line IV-IV of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail view of a portion of the mechanism shown inFig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a similar view of another detail of the mechanism; .i0 I Fig.'l is a side elevational view of a mechanism for preliminarily feedingtape;

Fig. 8 isA an enlarged view of a detail of the mechanism;

Fig. 9 is an enlarged view of a portion of the 55 element sorting andfeeding. mechanism;

Fig. 10 is a diagrammatic view illustrating th movement of a fasteningelement in the correct position at the section line X--X of Fig. 1;

Fig. 11 is a similarview showing 'the operation of the mechanism whenthe element is in a wrong 5 or reversed position;

Fig. 12 is an enlarged face view showing the clamping of an element tothe tape;

Fig. 13 is a sectional view taken along the section line XIII- XIII ofFig. 12; x l0 Fig. 14 is a view somewhat similar to Fig. 12 showing theelement restraining means in operation;

Fig. 15 is a sectional view of the mechanism taken along the sectionline XV-XV of Fig. 14; 15`

Fig. 16 is an elevational view of the element clamping mechanism;

Fig. 1'1 is a sectional view thereof taken along the section lineXVII-XVII of Fig. 16;

Fig. 18 is a detail view of the mechanism for 20 positioning theelements on the tape, a portion being removed; Y

Fig. 19 isa sectional view thereof taken along on the sectional lineXIX- XIX ofFig. 18;

Fig. 20 is a side view of the operating mecha- 25 nism for the elementrestraining means in an 0perative position Fig. 21 is a. similar viewshowing the mecha- 'nism in an inoperative position;

Fig. 22 is 'a plan view of a detail of the element 30 restrainingmechanism;

Fig. 23 is a plan view of the tape feeding mechanism;

Fig. 24 is a lcross-sectional view of the tape guiding plates;

Fig. 25 is a developed side elevational View of y a portion of themechanism;

Fig. 26 is a plan view, partially in section, of the portion of theoperating mechanism taken substantially along the section line XXVI-XXVIof Fig, 25; and

Fig. 2'7 is an enlarged sectional view of a detail of the mechanismtaken' along the section line XXVII- XXVII of Fig. 25.,

Broadly, the machine maybe described by referring to. the varioussub-mechanisms. The relative interconnection of the parts and thedriving mechanism is broadly shown in Figs. 1,

2, and 3. The tape feeding mechanisms are shown by reference to Figs. 2,'7, and 23 to 27, inclusive. 50 The mechanism for handling the fastenerelements is shown in Figs. 1, and 10 to 22, the element clampingmechanism Ibeing particularly shown in Figs. 2, 16, and 17. The elementcounting mechanism in its normal voperation is best 55.

' Main power drive Referring particularly to Figs. l, 2, and 3, themachine comprises a base i, whose forward legs 2 are longer than therear legs I in order that the face of the base shall be tiltedrearwardly at an angle, which is illustrated to be in the neighborhoodof 2,0 degrees, to the horizontal. The.

component parts of the mechanism are assembled in substantiallyrectangular relation to the surface of the base I. With thisconstruction the chute 5 for feeding the elements is given an inclinedposition to the horizontal which causes the elements to lie against theback wall of the chute, thereby avoiding many constructionalcomplications which would arise were the chute -set at an angle to itsbase.

A main driveshaft i is mounted under the base I in bearings Hi8 Aand IM,Fig. 3, provided with a pulley l for connection to a source'of power(not shown). A second pulley 8 is provided on the shaft for driving themechanism for feeding elements, as hereinafter described. 'I'he shaft 6is continuously driven and all movements of other parts of the apparatusare selectively controlled from this shaft.

Referring particularly to Figs. 2 and 3, a clutch collar 9 is slidablymounted on a key i0 which is seated in the shaft E so that the collar` 9continuously rotates. 'I'he collar 9 is -provided with a groove II inwhich rides a block I2 pivotally mounted near one end of a lever Il. Theouter end of the collar 9 is provided with clutch teeth Il which meshwith teeth I6 on a pinion il which is rotatably mounted on the shaft 8.The engagement and disengagement 'of the clutch teeth I5 and I6 controlsthe normal feeding and fastening operations of the machine. A secondpinion I8 (particularly illustrated in Fig. 26) is keyed to the shaft Sand drives the re-setting and skip-feeding mechanism, as hereinafterdescribed, when the clutch teeth I5 and Il are disengaged. Accordingly,in the following description of the various parts of the machine andtheir operations, the shaft i will be used as a basic element.

Tape feeding mechanism The mechanism for feeding the tape I! to whichthe elements are attached is best illustrated in Figs. 2, 7. and 23 to27. The apparatus for feeding the tape during the normal clampingoperations will first be described and the skip-feeding mechanism willbe described subsequently. An actuating shaft 2l is mounted in bearings2I 'and 22 attached by bolts 24 to a secondary bedplate 25 which, inturn, is attached by bolts 20 to the base I. The secondary plate 2Bcarries the chute l and the clamping mechanism, as hereinafter pointedout, so that the shaft 2| and the chute l may be removed as a unit fromthe base I and readily replaced, as desired.

Agearl'l iskeyedtotheshatt 2l andmeshes with the pinion I'I on the shaftl.y Because of the high speed at which the machine operates, it isdesired that the gear 2'I and the pinion I'I will ltop when the pinionrI1 is released from the collar I so that a friction brake 2l isattached t0 the base I. The brake 28 comprises blocks 29 and 3l,preferably of wood, which bear against the opposite sides of the gear21. Ihe blocks 29 and 30' are supported by adjusting screws 3|,extending through supporting arms 33. At one end, the shaft 20 isprovided with a cam 32 having two high points whereby each revolution ofthe shaft 20 produces two operations of the cooperating mechanisms. Thecam 32 controls the feeding of the tape through the machine.

In order to unreel the tape I9 and introduce it into the machine in'substantially untensioned state there is provided a mechanism showngenerically by numeral 34 in Fig. 7. This mechanism comprises a reel orspool holder 35 which is mounted on any suitable support adjacent to themachine base I, although preferably it is on a table 38 supporting thebase I. 'I'he tape I9 is fed around a roller 31 and under` a floatingroller 38 so that the tape is positively held against the roller 3l andslippage does not occur. Preferably, although not necessarily. theroller Il is given a friction surface 39 of sand, gravel, or othersuitably gripping material. The roller 38 is secured by a link 4B toslots 4i in spaced brackets I2, only one being illustrated. TheA roller3l is mounted on a shaft M which rests in suitable brake bearings I5attached to the brackets 42.

Asshown in Fig. 8, the shaft M is driven by a clutch comprising'a collar68 keyed to the shaft 46. A disc I'I is rotatably mounted on the collar45 and is provided with a number of elongated openings 48. which arewider at one end than at the other. A spring pressed roller 49 ismounted in each of the openings i8. The disc 41 is connected to areciprocating link lli). 4lis the link l is moved to the left of Fig. 8,the disc I'I tunis in a clockwise direction on the shaft Il therebyreleasing 'rollers d! and permitting the disc to freely turn on thecollar llt. However, when the link MI; moves to the right of Fig. 8, therollers 43 are guided into the narrow ends of the openings 4B to gripthe collar and cause the shaft M to turn thereby advancing the tape bythe desired amount.

The link It, in turn, is connected to a block I adjustably mounted on anarm E2 attached to the base I. 'I'he ann 52 carries a cam follower 54,which is urged into engagement with the cam I2 by a spring Si. Byadjusting the position of the block II the throw of the link 5i? may becontrolled which, in turn, controls the amount of tape fed forward ateach oscillation of the arm l2. Themechanism 34 delivers the tape in anuntensioned state to milde plates 58...

As shown in Fig. 23, the guide plates B6 are secured to brackets l1which are mounted on the base I. The tape engaging edges of the platesIl are preferably slightly bevelled and at least one oi' the brackets Ilis adjustably mounted so that various widths of tape may'be fed.

As shown in Fig. 24, the tape engaging edges Voi' the plates are notsmooth but are given a connguration such that they collectively form theoutline of the shape of the tape which passes therethrough.' This isparticularly important since a throat I8 is provided which lits aboutthe corded edge oi' the tape and supports the tape in the correctvertical position to feed the tape into andv through an opening 5l inthe base of the chute i where it receives the fastening elements. Theposition of the tape I 9 as it emerges from the slot It is shown in Fig.14.

'Ihe tape is drawn through the slot 58 and 75 in the skip-feedingoperation of the apparatus.

hereinafter described, as the tape is then pulled forward at a very highspeed and any slippage between the tape andthe feed wheel would resultin shortening the spaces between series of elements. v

A further improvement inl the frictional vengagement of the tape withthe feed wheel 68 is a belt 66, preferably of rubberized fabric, whichis trained. around a portion of the feed wheel to engage the tape andhold it against a portion of the periphery of the feed wheel. 'I'he belt66 is carried bya plate 61 which isY attached to the base I by screws68. Spaced pulleys 69 and 18 are carried by the plate 61 and are sopositioned as to .train ya reach of the belt into its tape clampinglposition against the feed wheel 68. For tensioning the belt 66, it istrained around a third pulley 1| which is carried by an eccentricallymounted shaft 12. A lever 14 is secured tothe top of the pulley shaftand its outer end is attached to a spring 15 which, in turn, is securedto an Vanchor 16 in the plate 61. By this construction, the pulley 1I iscontinuously urged outwardly in a counterclockwise direction against thebelt 66 thereby insuring a uniform tension inthe belt.

As illustrated'in Fig. 25, the feed wheel 68 issecured by a key 11 toashaft 18 which extends vertically through a bushing 19 on the base I. Anut 88 is secured to the end of the shaft 18V for retaining the feedwheel 68. Below the base I, a ratchet wheel 8| is keyed to the shaft 18.As` shown in detail in Fig. 27, a bevelled gear 82 is loosely mounted onthe shaft 18 below the ratchet wheel 8|-`. The bevelled gear 82 is usedin the yskip-feed motion, hereinafter described. A socket 84 in the hubof the gear 82 houses va spring 85 and a pin 86, which terminates in asharp end 81.

-The` end 81 of the pin cooperates with clutch teeth 88 on a collar 89which is fixed to the shaft 18 by a set screw 98. A washer 9| and a nut92 complete the shaft assembly 93. A semi-circular steadying bearing 93for the shaft may be provided to engage the collar 89 and preventwhipping of the shaft, as shown in Figs. 1 and 3.

With this construction the ratchet wheel 8| and the collar 89 are freeto move in a clockwise direction while thegear 82 idles. If, however,the gear 82 is turned in a clockwise direction the sharp end 81 of thepin186 engages the teeth 88 and causes the shaft 18 to turn in theclockwise direction.

y A pawl 94 for actuating the ratchet wheel 8| is urged into itsengaging position by a spring 95. The spring 95 and the pulley 94 aremounted on a plate 98 which is loosely mounted on the shaft 18. Theplate, in turn, is, connected to an actuating link 91, as illustrated inFig. 26.

The other end'of the link 91 is attached to a block 98 which travels in'a slide 99 in a guide block |88 secured to the undersurface of the baseI, as shown in Fig. 25. vThe block 98 bears against a spring I8| mountedin a slot |82 inthe guide block |88. The opening |82 is closed by a cap|84 which mayialso serve to tension the spring I8I. With thisconstruction the block 98 is normally urged to the right of Fig. 26. Acam roller |85 is attached to the block 98 through a slot in a side vofthe block |88. The cam roller |85 follows a groove |86 on the inner.surface of the pinion |1. 'I'he inner surface of the groove |86 isprovided with two high points |81 .both Vof which serve to pull theplate' 96 to thel left thereby advancing the shaft 18 by the length oftwo of the teeth on the ratchet Wheel 8| with each revolution of theshaft- 6. If the number of teeth on the pinion I1 and i on the gearwheel 21 are the same, the cam 32 may advance th'e tape by the sameamount with each revolution of the shaft 6. It is to be understood thatthe ratios of the pinion I1 and the gear 21 and the various'other gearsmay be varied as' desired to accomplish different timing.

As the cam 32 is idle during the skip-feeding operation, as hereinafterdescribed, it is desirable that the throw of the link 58 be adjusted tocause the roller 31 to operate a little faster'than the peripheral speedof the feed wheel 58thereby accumulating sufficient slack in themechanism 34 to compensate for the skip feed movement of the feed wheel68 without tensioning the tape I9 as it is introduced into the guideplates 56.

With the foregoing construction when the clutch teeth I5 and i6 mesh andthe shaft 6 is rotated, the tape I9 is unwound by the mechanism 34 andis drawn between the guide plates 56 through the slot 59 in the chute 5and around the feed wheel 68 by the rotation of the latter in normaloperation.

As best shown in Fig. 2, the tape, after leavin'g the feed wheel 68,passes through a discharge chute |I8 delivering the nished tape to theside of the machine. The chute II8 is provided with a stripper piece III which serves to pull the tape I9 away from the pins 62 on the feedwheel 68 thereby insuring entry of the tape I8 in the chute and free ofthe wheel.

'Feeding of the fastener elements e Referring particularly to Figs. 1,and 10 to 22,

inclusive, the mechanism for feeding the fastener elements will nowbedescribed. e

First referring to Figs. 9 to 13, each fastener element I|5 comprises astamped body having separated diverging legs II6 and II1 at one end anda lug II8 projecting fromone side of the bodyl at the other end. Arecess II9 is formed behind each lug II8 for the reception of acomplementary lug in an associated fastener in a well known manner. Thespace between the legs IIGand |I1 is of the general contour of the tapeedge, but is somewhat larger'. When the elei ments are applied to thetape, the lugs II8 all face in the same direction so that each lug |I8will seat' in a recess II9 in an adjacent element on the opposing tape.I Accordingly, it is of extreme importance that the elements shall befed to the clamping means in a proper position.

Referring particularly to Fig. l, the elements in large quantity areplaced in a hopper or reservoir |28 from the bottom of whichthey fallinto a chute I2|. Preferably, the chute and hopper are mounted at oneend on a hinge |22 and the other end of the chute is supported by a rod|24` which is connected to an agitating device shown generically by-areference numeral |25.

The agitating device |25 comprises a shaft |26 which is driven through apulley.I21 by a belt |28 connected to the pulley 8. A hub |29 is mountedon .the shaft |26 and is provided with small set screws |30 which engagea rocker arm l|3| to which the rod |24 is attached. 'I'he Vdown thechute |3I.

A Wing plate |32 at the end of the chute directs the elements into aspace |34 formed between an upstanding edge |35 of a plate |36 and alongitudinally extending roller |31 having a helical groove |38 alongits outer periphery. 'I'he roller |31 rests in bearings placed in asupporting housing |39 for the roller and the plate |36. The housing |39is attached to and is supported by the chute 5, as shown in Fig. 1. Theroller |31 is driven through a pulley |40 by a belt |4| which, in turn,is driven .by a pulley |42 on the shaft |26.

The elements fall from the end of the chute |2| into the space |34 in anindiscriminate manner with respect to the direction in which theirrespective lugs ||8 project. If the lugsil project outwardly toward theedge |35, which is the correct position, as illustrated in Fig. .10, thelugs engage the edge and the elements are prevented from falling'between the edge and the roller. The wide spread legs ||6 and ||1straddle the groove |38 andas the roller |31 turns, the elementsmove-downwardly along the edge |35 which is set in a slanting position.

As is shown in Fig. 11, the elements which have their lugs ||8projecting inwardly soon settle into a position Where the lugs fall into`the groove |38 whose depth and width is greater than the dimensions ofthe lugs so that the elements fall throughthe space between the edge |35and the roller |31. These rejected elements then pass along the bottom|44l of the supporting housing and ultimately are discharged into afunnel |43.

The edge |35- conducts the elements on to a plate |45 (Fig. 9) which, inturn, leads to a small shelf |46 which is only long enough toaccommodate a single element. The shelf |46 .is slightly below the edgeof the plate |45 so that each element drops slightly as it comes ontothe shelf and pushes the preceding element into a slot |41 in the chute5. Opposite the shelf |46 the edge of the slot |41 is given a distinctcurve |48 so as to insure that the lugs ||8 on the successive elementshave to travel outwardly and away from the end of the shelf |46 therebyinsuring that the elements are correctly aligned as they enter the slot|41.

The chute 5 comprises along bar of metal and has the slot |41 formed inits outer face, as shown in cross-section in Fig. 2. Small guide plates|49 and |50 are secured by screws |5| to the bar and' overhang the slot|41, the spacing between the edges Vof the plates |49 and |50 being justlarge enough to permit the lugs 8 to move downwardly therebetween. Aspreviously stated, the chute 5 is inclined about 20 degrees to thevertical so that the elements will tend to rest against the rearsurface'of the slot |41 and not bear against the plates |49 and |50. Thebottom of the chute 5 is secured by a bolt |52 (illustrated in Fig. 3)to a pedestal |54 integral with the secondary base plate 25.

In order to give the chute 5 andthe housing |39 a vibratory motion,which assists in moving the elements into the slot |41, a toothed wheel|55 is mounted in bearings |56 to the rear of the chute 5 and near thetop thereof. The wheel |65 is driven from the shaft |26 through pulleys|51 and belt |58. A spring |59 is attached to the housing |39 and bearsagainst the teeth on the wheel |55 so that as the latter turns a slightvibratory movement is imparted to the chute 5 and the housing |39.

The legs of the succeeding elements normally bear against the tops ofthe preceding elements, as shown in Figs. 13 and 14, until they arriveopposite the clamping mechanism, shown in Figs. 12 and 14. Here the legsof the iowermost element bear against the ledges and |6| formed in thechute 5 and which constitute a forward edge of the slot-59 through whichthe tape i9 travels. It is to be noted, however, that the upper edges ofthe ledges |60 and |6| are far enough below the upper or corded edge |62of the tape I8 so that when the legs ||6 and ||1 of the elements restthereon the corded edge 62 of the tape is seated in the top of the spacebetween the legs ||6 and i1 in which position it is to be clamped on thetape.-y After each element is clamped to the tape, it is drawn Iorwardlyand olf the ledges |60 and |61 by the advancing tape and is replaced bythe succeeding element which falls into position on the ledges.

If desired. a spring |63 may be housed in the chute 5 beneath the plate|49 to hold the succeeding elements rather than placing their weightupon the element being clamped.

Element positioning means In order to insure uniform spacing of theelements on the tape, it is desirable to provide a positive mechanismfor forcing the succeeding elements into their positions on the vledges|60 and |6| and straddling theedge |62 of the tape i9. The mechanism foraccomplishing this purpose is particularly shown in Figs. 3, 12, 13, 18,and 19.

Referring to Fig.'3, a bracket arm 64 is secured by a clamping bolt |65to the chute pedestal |54. The angular position of the bracket arm maybe regulated by an adjusting screw |68 carried by a second bracket |61.The need for this `adjustment will appear from the subsequentdescription. As shown in Fig. 2, the forward end of the bracket arm 164projects laterally to form the rear and side walls of a housing |69. Asbest shown in Figs'. 18 and 19, the housing |68 carries a blade |69,whose operation is shown in Figs. 13 and 14, and which is provided witha notch |10 on its lower forward edge, which notch engages the upperedge oi each element and forces it onto the tape I9 and around thecorded edge |62 thereof. The blade |69 is of hardened steel and iscentered with respect to the slot |41.

The blade |69 is secured in an end of a plunger |1| which slides in away |12 in a second plunger |14. A spring |15 normally urges the blade|69 and the plunger |1| downwardly against a pin |16 which moves inslots |11 in the sides of the plunger |14. 'I'he plunger |14 has alaterally projecting pin |18 which moves in a slot |19 in a side wall inthe housing |68 against a spring |30. The plunger |14 extends above thetop of the housing |68 and is provided with a recess 18| for thereception of an arm |82 of a bell crank |84. A second bell crank |85 ismounted to operate the bell crank |84 thereby depressing the plunger |14against the spring |80. An arm |86 of the bell crank |85 projectslaterally out of the housing |68 and is engaged by the end of a rockerarm |81. As'shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the rocker arm rocking movement onthe which bearsagainst the face of the plunger |14.

In case the elements become jammed in the chute. the blade |69mayretreatagainst the spring |15 by the length of the slots |11 and ifthat does not offer sufficient relief the plunger |14 may move laterallyagainst the end of the spring |92. 'Ihe spring |92 also permits the end|10 ofthe blade elements normally bearing'against the rear wallv todepart from a straight linemotion as the elements are forced downwardlyin the chute during normal operation.

The housing |68 is provided with bolt holes |94 for the reception ofbolts for securing of the face plate |88. Because of the high speed atwhich i .the machine operates and because of the small size of thefastener elements, the angle at which the plate |69is` set relative tothe back wall of the chute '5 and the elements is very important. In theoperation of the blade |69, as is shown by comparison of Figs. 13 andl5, the blade |69 engages the top of an element and follows it luntil itis seated on the tape, when it must retreat rapidly enough andfar'enough to clear `the succ'eeding element. This is accomplished inpart by the action of the spring |80 and in part by the angularsettingofthe housing |68 relative to the chute 5. As has Vpreviously beenstated', the inclination of the chute 5 is such as to have the of theslot |41. c

As is shown in Fig. 3, the rocker arm r|81 is directly actuated by aroller |95, engaging a cam |96, mounted on the shaft and having two highpoints thereby synchronizing the element setting means with the tapefeeding mechanism.

Element shut-o# mechanism In order that the elements in the slotv |41shall be suspended from between the clamping means during'periods oftheir dwell in the clamping operation or periods of skip-feed for thetape, there is provideda exible finger |91 terminating in a hook |98.The finger |91 extends through and is clamped in a hub |99 rotatablymounted in the bracket arm |84. The actuation of the hub |89 will beexplained in jconnection'with the Tskip- ,feeding mechanism,

that element and the succeedlng'elements sus-.

pended above the clamping means. In general, it is desired to cutoilj'the supply of elements at l least one clamping stroke before theclamping elements become inactive during anyskip-feedor improperlyspacing the elements at the beginnlng and end of each skip-feedingoperation.

` A' Clamping or hammering means -Referring particularly to Figs. 2, 12,16, Aand on the tape is accomplished by the reciprocating horizontalmovements of a pair of thin blades or strips 20| of high quality steelwhich slide in ways sunk in the chute 5 below the ends of plates- |49and |50 and above ledges |60 and |5|. As exemplary of the invention, ifvthe overall of theheight of the elements being set is of the ,order of.112 inch, the width of the blades is lof the order of .100 inch, theirthickness is of theorder of 0.28 inch, which is substantially thethickness -of' Athe elements. Accordingly, the blades are lslightlynarrower than the overall height of the elements so that the blades 20|bear againstl the separated legs ||6 and ||1 and clamp them to the tapeI9 without striking the legs of the next succeeding'element which isretained by the upper portion of the element being clamped, as is shownin Fig. 12.

Because'of the high quality of the metal used in the blades 20| andbecause of their small size they are seated. in L-shaped supports 202,shown in Fig. 1'?. The supports 202, in turn, bear against -the ends o fadjustment screws 204,.the entire assembly being mounted in blocks 205.Clamps 206 secure the forward ends of the blades 20| and the supports202 to the blocks 205. When it is desired to adjust the position of theblades 20|, the clamps 206 are loosened and an adjustment is made bythescrews 204 until thedesired stroke is obtained when the clamps 205 aretightened and jam nuts 201 are tightened to hold the screws 204. 'I'heblocks 205 slide in ways formed by plates 208 and 209 secured to thebase v 17, the clamping or hammering of the elements urged intoengagement with the faces of the cams 2 |4 by springs 2|6 lrestingagainst the bearingsV 2| and 22 for the shaft 20. 'Ihe faces of f' cams2|5 have two high spots, `as do alll other cams on shaft 20, so -that oneach operation of the shaft. 20, two synchronized operations areaccomplished by each of the connected mechanisms. l

Counting mechanism If itwere desiredto continuously apply clampingelements to the tape without interruption the machine -couldbe operatedcontinuously with the mechanism hereinbefore described, but as it iscustomary to apply elements t'o a tape edge Counting operation lReferring particularly to Fig. 4, the basic elevment of the counting.mechanismI when normally operated, is a'sleeve 2|1 which is loosely Amounted on a shaft 2l8. The sleeve 2|1 carhereinafter described, wherebythe connection of the clutch teeth I5 and I5 is controlled by theturning of the sleeve 2I1' by the Vratchet wheell The ratchet wheel 2|9is actuated by a pa'wl 224 mounted on a disc 225 which-is rotatablymounted ,on a hub of the ratchet wheel 2|9. A spring 226 serves to pressthe pawl 224 against the teeth rof the ratchet wheel 2|9 and a secondspring 221 mounted on the base I serves, as a drag on the ratchet wheel(The disc 225 is attached to a link 228, the other end of which isattached to a lever 229 (Fig. 7) carrying a roller 230 which bearsagainst the cam 32 under the influence of the spring 55. With thisconstruction the sleeve 2I1 is driven by the shaft 20 so that its motionis synchronized with the motion of the tape feeding mechanism, theelement feeding f mechanism and the clamping mechanism, during thenormal operation.

The shaft 2| 8 is mounted in a separate frame 23| which is attached bybolts 233 to the forward or longer legs 2 of the base I. The framesupports a rod 232 which may turn in its bearings. Arms 234 and 235 arerockably secured to the frame by the opposite ends of the rod 232. 'I'hearms 234 and 235 span the shaft 2|1 and its supplementary parts andterminate in a second rod 236, thereby forming a carriage supportingframe. Collars 231 are secured near the ends of the rods 232 and 236away from the ratchet wheel 2I9. Coil springs 238 abut the collars 231.A carriage 239 is supported by the rods 232 and 236 and is slidabletherealong. Collars 240 on the rods limit the movement of the carriageto ward the ratchetwheel 2|9. The carriage 239 abuts the springs 238 andits movements are subject to the tension therein.

At detent or tooth 243 Ais carried by the carriage 239 and engages thethread on the surface of the sleeve 22|. The pitch of the thread on thesleeve 22| is such that as the ratchet wheel 2I9 turns, the carriage ismoved forward, or to the left of Fig. 4, to compress the springs 238. Asthe forwardl movement of the carriage is controlled by the rotation ofthe ratchet wheel 2I9, the travel of the carriage can be made such thatwhen it starts from the position determined by the collars 248 it willtravel one or more revolutions of the ratchet wheel 2|9 before theclutch teeth I5 and I6 are separated for the skip feeding movementhereinafter described.

'Ihe movement ofthe carriage 239, through a' mechanism, shortly to bedescribed, controls the movement of a cam wheel 24|. As shown in Fig. 4,the cam 24| is provided with a radial opening 244 in which a piny 245 isseated for en. gaging a slot 246 in the face of a sleeve 241 whichserves asa hub for the cam 24|. 'I'he sleeve 241 is secured by a key24,8 directly to the shaft 2I8. The cam l24| is clamped in positiony bya Jock nut 249. I

A cylindrical stop 253 is carried by the sleeve 21| attached to theframe 23|. lever 268 is released by thecam 24I its other end 241. Themeeting faces of the stop 250 and the cam 24| are provided withcomplementary teeth 25| so that the setting of the high point on the cam24| canbe varied slightly-that is either forwardly or rearwardly-ifdesired, to add a few more or a few less elements to the tape than arenormally provided bythe number of teeth on the ratchet wheel 2 I9.Preferably, the face of the stop 250 is provided with indicia 252 toassist Vin adjusting the relative positions of the teeth 25|'.Accordingly, the stop 250, the cam 24I, and the shaft 2I8 operate as aunit and are normally inactive when the sleeve 2|1 is turning.

The mechanism by which the stop 222 operates to transmit motion to thestop 250 will now be described. A spring 255 normally holds the stop 222away from the stop 250 and for this reason the stop 222 is slidablelongitudinally, but non-rotatably, on the sleeve 2|1. As the carriage239 advances near the end of lts travel, it engages the stop 222 andslides it forwardly against the compressioncf the spring 255.

A yoke 256 is provided with a pivot 251 (see Fig. 2), seated in a.groove 258 on the hub of the stop 222. The free ends of the yoke bearagainst the end of the sleeve 22| so asto normally tend to turn the yokein a counterclockwise direction* about its pivot 251. 'I'his moves atail piece 259 away or outwardly from the face of the stop 222. As isvshown in Fig. 5, the tail piece 259 is connected to a pin 260 extendinginto a bore 26| inthe stop 222. A coil spring 264 is seated in the boreabout the pin 268 and bears against the rear wall of the bore and urgesa catch 262 outwardly and beyond the face of the stop 222, Normally, theengagement between the yoke and the sleeve 22| overcomes the tension ofthe spring 264 and it keepsthe catch 262 in a retracted position Withinthe body of the stop 222. However, when the stop 222 slides forwardly byoperation of the carriage 239, the catch 262 is released to projectoutwardly from the stop 222. A complementarycatch 265 is carried in abore 266 in the stop 250 and is urged outwardly by a spring 261. Theexposed area of the catch 265 is normally made larger than the openingof the bore 26| so that the catch mechanism will not be operable untilthe catch 262 is projected. It is to be -understood that the position ofthe carriage 239 on the frame 23| is so adjusted that the catches meetslightly before a' sumcient number of elements have been fastened to thetape. As soon as the catches 262 and v265 meet, the shaft 2|8 and thecam 24I begin lto turn.

As best shown'in Fig. 20, the movement of the cam 24I permits an end ofa lever 268 to drop behind the high point of the cam. The lever 268 isurged into its downward position by a spring 269 secured to the frame23|. The downward movement of the lever 268 sets in motion a series ofoperations preparatory to the skipfeed movement.

The first operation is the movement of the finger |91 to stop the flowof elements in the chute 5.- 'I'his mechanism is best shown in Figs. 20and 21.

The lever 268 extends through a slot 210 in the base I and is pivotallymounted on a bracket As soon as the 212 snaps upwardly, under the pullof spring 269, and strikes the bottom of a plunger 214 mounted in aslideway 215 secured to the base A tension spring .216"normally urgesthe plunger 214 downwardly toward the end of the lever 212.

`of the lever is pulled above a lug 282 4gages the turn.

are ready to commence 4Upon engagement of the plunger 214 by the end ofthe lever 212, the latter is forced upwardly against the tension of thespring 216. A cross bar 211, carried by the plunger 214 is provided with`a sloping surface for engaging a complementary surface on a block" 218carried on a slide 219; One end of the slide 219 terminates in a yoke280 which is attachedto the hub |99 carrying the finger |91. Engagementof the sloping surfaces turns the hub to cause the end |98 of the finger|91 to engage the fastener elements,

as described, thereby shutting off the flow of elements into the chute.cutting off should take As previously stated, this place sufficientlyearly so f that there will be at least one more clamping stroke of theblades. operation. Simultaneously with cutting off the flow of elementsby the end 212 of the lever 268, a piece 28| mounted on a slidableclutch collar 284, illustrated in Fig. 2, which is mounted on a bearings286 and 281 secured beneath the base I. The clutch collar 284 isslidably keyed to the 20| before they cease their v shaft 285 and isnormally urged against the lever 268 by a spring 288. A pinion 289rotatably mounted on the shaft 285 meshes with the gear I8 secured tothe main drive shaft 6. The pinion 289 has complementary clutch teethfor engaging the teeth on the clutch collar 284 so that assoon as thelug 282 is freed, the clutch collar 284 enpinion 209 and the shaft 285begins to As soon as the shaft 285 begins to turn, a roller 298 carriednear one en'd of the clutch lever I8 is forced out'of a detent 29| ln acam 292 secured t the shaft 285 against the pull of a spring 294lthereby turning the lever I4 about its pivot 295 on a bracket 296attached to the base for disconnecting the teeth |5 and i6.` Thedisengagement of the teeth I5 and.|6 frees the pinion I1 and the brakes20 to rest immediately. This stops the normal counting and feedingoperation and the parts the skip feeding movements.

The skip-feed movements The `shaft 285 is now driven from theshaft 6 ata speed determined bythe pinionl 289 and the gear I8. A connection fromthe shaft 285 to the bevelled gear 82 forr driving the feed wheel 60 ismade through a gear train 291, 300, a shaft 30|, and a bevelled gear302, mounted beneath the base I. When this connection is made, the feedwheel is drivenby the engagement of the end 81 of. the pin 86 with theteeth 88- at a much higher rate 'of speed than when the feed wheel isdriven through ratchet wheel 8|, thereby saving time'in the passing ofthe bare tap sections through the machine. A gear 304 on thev shaft 285meshes with a lgear 305 which is directly keyed to the shaft 2I8 so thatthe latter is turned, although the shaft 6 is idle. In order to time themechanism the re-setting operation of the ratio of the gears 304,y 305is preferably '1 to 1. At the same Vtime the counting mechanism is beingre-set.

4 is freed from the-'sleeve 22| shaft 285 carried by 29 and 30 bring theshaft` 2I8 turns aV cam the plate 61. A

As soon as this lifting action occurs vthe tooth 243 and the springs23,8 are expanded to force the carriage back against the collars 240 toits starting position, as shown in Fig. 4, and breaking the connectionbetween the catches 262 and 265.

, Continued rotation of the shaft 2I8 causes the lever 268 to beprogressively raised and brings the nat side of the cam 306 under theiiat side of the arm 235 when the carriage is again lowered. When it islowered, a brake 3|0 carried by the arm 235 bears against the face ofthe stop 222 and stops its rotation of the sleeve 2 I 1.

In order to insure that tooth 243 shall be lowered into its properposition in the thread groove of the member 22| at the end of theskip-feeding movement, the construction shown in .Fig. 6 is employed. Acollar 3|I is secured by a key 3|2 to an extension of the sleeve 2I1adjacent the gear 305. The collar 3| i is provided with a single tooth3|4. A pawl 3I5 and an engaging spring 3| 6 are mounted on the innenfaceof the gear 305. After the sleeve 2I1 ceases to turnby reason ofdisconnection of catches 262 and 265 and the gear 305 nears thecompletion of its'movement,

which is a complete revolution, the pawl riding over the surface of thecollar 3| I picks the tooth 3 i4 and carries it forward to be in acorrect position when the gear 305 ceases to turn and the driving of thesleeve 2I1 through the ratchet wheel 2|9 begins, otherwise, incorrectsetting due to under-travel or over-travel of the sleeve 2|1 I However,just before the shaft285. is disengaged from the shaft 6, the roller 290on thelever I4 drops back -into detent 29| and the 'teeth I5 and I6 arebrought into engagement, thereby starting the shaft 20 and the connectedparts. Upon the completionof this operation the clamping blades 20|begin to reciprocate and the feed wheel 60 advances the tape through theoperation of the ratchet wheel 8| from the shaft 6, but no elements arepositioned betweenthe blades 20|. This avoids any possibility of therebeing misalignment of elementsand of `an accumulation of elements ontl'e tape when the normal clamping operation should begin. Preferably,there are several strokes of the blades 20| before any elements areavailable for clamping.

The mechanism for restoring the flow of elements is lillustrated inFigs. 2, 20, and 22. When i vthe lever 268 returns to its operativeposition the plunger 211 is drawn away from beneath the block 218 by theoperation of spring 216. However, the slide 219 remains in the positionshown in Fig'. 21 and the flow of elements is still stopped by thefinger |91, but the carriage 239 begins to advance by the operation ofthe ratchet wheel 2|9. A spring finger 3|15 is mounted on the carriage239 and bears against a cam face 3|8 of a lug 3|8 carried by a bracket320 secured to lug 32| is secured to the outer end of the` slide vancespast the cam face 3 I8 it bears 'againstthe face ofthe lug 32| andretracts the slide 219 219 and as the finger 3|1 adl v held in itsforward position by the inter-engagement of the arm 211 and the block21B.

Operation As the detailed operations of the various submechanisms of thedevice have beenexpiained in detail, it is believed unnecessary torepeat the detailed descriptionl of the operation of the machine.

In normal operation of the machine an operator replenishes the stock ofthe feeding mechanism 34 and the element hopper |20 from time to time.If lthe machine is operating correctly, very little further attention isneeded. If trouble develops in the movement of elements through thechute 5, the operator can usually correct the trouble or stop themachine without having elements applied thereto. The machine may beadapted to different spacings of elements by changing the gearing andtiming ratios, although normally the machine is set for one size andspacings of elements and is thereafter.

The shaft 2li controls the normal operations of the mechanism andthrough a system of cams controls the tape feeding wheel 60, theclamping blades 20|, and the counting mechanism in proper time. 'I'hecounting mechanism operates through the linger |81 to stop the flow ofelements, and to connect the shaft 2|! to the shaft l and disconnect theshaft 20 therefrom. One complete revolution of the shaft 285 resets thecounting mechanism and accelerates the movement of the feed wheel sothat there is material saving of time as the portion of tape to whichelements are not applied passes between the blades 20|. The countingmechanism nearing the end of its operation re-connects the shaft 20 tothe shaft 8 and unconnects the shaft 285, and theshaft l rotatescontinuously. 'I'he element feeding mechanism is agitated by the shaft 6so that the supply of the elements to the chute l is continuous. This isdesirable as the rapid attachment of the elements to the tape requires areserve of properly aligned elements at all times. The machine isnormally designed to provide approx-- imately 750 clamping strokes perminute, but it is to be understood that the number of strokes may bevaried as desired withinthe spirit of the invention.

The machine is light and is characterized by cam or alight rockingmovements in most ofthe operating parts thereby eliminating heavyreciprocating parts such as have been used heretofore. The machine issufficiently light so that it may be removed as an entirety when repairsare needed and replaced at the time by a complete machine thereby savingfactory operating time. The parts are small and are readily accessibleforreplacement purposes. handles the smaller size fastener elementssatisfactorily and accurately attaches them to a tape.

While we have shown and described the present preferred embodiment ofthe invention, it

is to be understood that the invention may be otherwise incorporatedwithin the spirit thereof and the scope of the appended claims.

driving the continuously operated Having thus described our invention,what we claim and desire to protect by Letters Patent, is: l. In afastener attaching machine, a main vdrive shaft, a second shaftselectively connectable therewith, element clamping means, tape feedingmeans, and counting mechanism normally actuated by said second shaft, athird shaft selectively connectable with said main drive shaft forre-setting the counting mechanism and tape feeding means at a differentspeed, and means controlled by the counting mechanism for controllingthe -connection between the main drive shaft and the second and thirdmentioned shafts.

2. In a fastener attaching machine, a main drive shaft, a second shaftselectively connectable therewith, element clamping means, tape feedingmeans, and counting mechanism normally actuated by said second shaft, athird shaft selectively connectible with said main drive shaft forre-setting the counting mechanism and driving the main driving shaft.

3. In a fastener element attaching machine, means for periodicallyapplying fasteners to a tape, a tape feeding mechanism comprising anected to the eccentric mounting.

6. An element fastening mechanism comprisengaging wheel, a shaft foractuating the wheel, a ratchetl wheel attached to the shaft for normaloperation thereof, a cooperating pawl, a gear mounted on said shaft,means to actuate the gear der the influence of the force of gravity, oneof the edges of said chute being bevelled, a flexible finger having Yanend shaped to engage a portion of the fastener elements disposedadjacent surface, and means for supporting and actuating the finger tocause it to engage the bevelled edge of the chute and clamp the fastenerelements til i inclined position, means for storing elements, eachagainst the .inner `surface of the chute thereby stopping the ilow ofthe elements in the chute.

8. In a machine for attaching fastener elements, a chute down whichelements flow under the influence of the force of gravity, one oftheedges of' said chute being bevelled, a flexible finger having an endshaped to engage a portion of the fastener elements disposed adjacentsaid bevelled surface, means for supporting and actuating the finger tocause it to engage the bevelled edge of the chute and clamp the fastenerelements against the inner surface of the chute'thereby stopping the:Elow of the elements in the chute, element clamping means, and timingmechanism for controlling the operation of the clamping means and saidfinger.

9. fn almachine for attaching fastener elements, a chute down whichelements flow under the influence of the forceof gravity, one of theedges of saidlchute being bevelled, a flexible finger having an endshaped to engage a portion of the fastener elements disposed adjacentsaid bevelled surface, means for supporting and actuating the finger tocause it to engage the bevelled edge of the chute and clamp the fastenerelements against the inner surface of the chute thereby stopping `theflow of the elements in the chute, element' clamping means, a timing.mechanism for controlling the operation of the clamping means and saidnnger, said timing mechanism being normally set to cause the said fingerto interrupt the flow of elements. prior to periodical stopping of theclamping means and to retain the elements after the clamping means hasagain commenced to operate. K

lil. dn element setting machine comprising an element feeding chute, aclamping mechanism, tape feeding mechanism and counting mechanismassociatedl therewith, and a supporting base therefor, the surface ofthe supporting base being normally disposed at an angle to thehorizontal and the chute .being normally perpendicular to said facewhereby the force of gravity acting on elements traversing the chutetends 'to cause the elements to bear against the rear face of the chutewhilethe various mechanisms are 4gener-1v ally in rectangular relationto the face of the support.

ll.. il fastener element sorting mechanism coni-n prising a housingaroll mounted therein in an v sions slightly greater than the dimensionsof the projectlng'lugs on the elements, and means for rotating the roll,whereby elements'falling into lat the space between the roll and wallwith their lugs 'engaging the wall are retained in asuspended positionand elements falling into 'the space between the roll and the wall withtheir lugs pro-f 4 jecting towards said groove, move into the groove 6and fall through the space between the roll and the wall, therebycorrectly aligning the elements. l2. a fastener element sortingmechanism comprising a rotating roll having a groove on its surfaceslightly larger than the 'dimensions of a projecting lng on each of thefastener elements to be sorted, but less in. width than other dimensionsof the elementa'and va spaced wall having a lug engaging and supportingsurface, wherebyJ-` elementsfalling between the roll and `wall with thelugs projecting against the wall are retained in a suspended conditionby said surface between y engage the groove.

13. A fastener element sorting mechanism comprising a rotating rollhaving a groove on its surface slightlyy larger than the dimensions of aprojecting lug on each of the fastener elements to be sorted, but lessin width than other dimensions of the elements, and an inclined spacedwall whereby elements falling between the roll and the wall with thelugs projecting toward the wall are retained and move along the Wall,and elements whose lugs project toward the roll fall through the spacewhen the lugs engage the groove. t

14. A fastener element sorting mechanism comprising a roll having agroove on its surface slightly larger than the dimensions of aprojecting lug on each of the fastener elements to be sorted, but lessin width than other dimensions of the elements, and a spaced wall, boththe wall and roll being disposed in an inclined position,wherebyelements falling between` the roll and wall, with the lugsprojecting toward the wall are retained, and elements whose lugs projecttoward the roll fall through the space when the lugs engage the groove,and means for imparting vibratory motion thereto.

l5. A fastener element sorting mechanism comprising a housing, arollmounted therein in an inclined position, means for storing elements,each having a projecting lug on one face, in bulk and discharging themin a thin stream into a space defined by a spaced wall of the housingand said roll, said roll having a groove of dimensions slightly greaterthan the dimensions of the projecting lugs on the elements, means forrotating the roll whereby elements falling into the space between theroll and wall with their lugs engaging the wall are retained in asuspended position and elements falling into the space between eachhaving a lug projecting from one face, comprising an inclined memberalong one edge of which the 4elements move while suspended by the lugs,said edge terminating in a shelf slightly below the level of the edgeand of a dimension to support a4 single element, means for vibrating themember, and a chute into which the aligned elements are fed having aslot for receiving the `lugs of the elements, said slot at its elementre ceiving end terminating in a laterally offset portion opposite saidshelf, whereby the elements are successively pushed off the shelf intothe 4 slot without a turning movement.

1'?. lin a'fastener element feeding mechanism a slopinghorizontallyextending member having an edge-along which fastener ,elements movewhile suspended by outwardly extending lugs, and a vertically extendingchute having a slot for receiving the elements with an opening foraccommodating the lugs on the elements, the end ofthe member overhangingsaid opening and terminating in a ledge forming an edge of the slotopening, and said slot opening lbeing offset the roll and the wall withtheir lugs projecting and curved oppositesaid ledge whereby succeedingelements are pushed into the slot opening while being suspended bytheirrespective lugs the chute.

18. The combination with a fastener element setting machine comprising aselectively driven actuating shaft, and an actuated mechanism forfeeding tape and clamping fastener elements thereon, of an unreelingmechanism for the tape associated with said machine and means actuatedfrom said shaft for driving said mechanism whereby theunreelingmechanism is synchronized with the tape feeding and elementsetting means.

19. A fastener. feeding and clamping means. mechanism comprising a chutehaving an opening for the passage of tape, a slot for positioning leggedfastener elements with the lowermost element astride the edge of thetape and with succeeding elements supported by the element astride thetape, supporting plates for the ends of the straddling legs secured tothe lower face of the chute, plates for securing the succeeding elementsin the chute and in substantial alignment with the supporting plates,and reciprocatingclamping blades of a width Slightly less than theheight of the elements mounted for clamping the elements to the tapeedge operating in the spaces between the ends of theplates securing theelements in the chute and the plates supporting the ends of the elementstraddling the tape.

20. A pusher mechanism for feeding slide fastener elements comprising athin blade having an end shaped to engage an end of a fastener element,a resiliently mounted plunger supporting the blade, 'a secondresiliently mounted.

-vplunger for supporting the first mentioned plunger, and meansforactuating the second mentioned plunger, and a housing therefor.l

21. A pusher mechanism for feeding slide fastener elements comprising athin blade having an end shaped to engage an end of a fastener element,a resiliently mounted plunger supporting the blade, a second resilientlymounted plunger for supporting the mst-mentioned plunger, means foractuating the second-mentioned plunger, a housing therefor having itsinner face adjacent the outer face of said secondmentioned plunger cutaway to form a loose flt therewith, and a spring mounted on said housingand bearing against the extending end of second-mentioned plungerwhereby the blade is permitted resilient movement both longitudinallyand laterally.

22. A pusher mechanism for slide fastener elements comprising a housing,a plunger resiliently mounted thereon and having reciprocating motion,an inner wall of the housing adjacent said plunger being cut away topermit lateral movement of -the plunger, a spring carried by the housingand bearing against an extended end of said plunger whereby the plungeris capable of resilient movement both longitudinally and laterally, asecond plunger resiliently mounted in the first-mentioned plunger, and ablade having its end shaped to engage slide fastener elements carried bythe second-mentioned plunger.

23. A pusher mechanism for slide fastener elements comprising a housing,a plunger resiliently mounted thereon and having reciprocating motion,an inner wall of the housing adjacent said plunger being cut away topermit lateral movement of the plunger, a spring carried by the housingand bearing against an extended end of said plunger whereby the plungeris capable of resilient movement both longitudinallyand laterally asecond plunger resiliently mounted in the first-mentioned plunger, ablade having its end shaped to engage slide fastener elements carried bythe second-mentioned plunger, and means for depressing theflrs-t-mentioned plunger against its resilient support for moving theblade into engagement with slide fastener elements.

24. A timing and re-setting mechanism for a fastener setting mechanismcomprising a shaft, means for driving the shaft, a sleeve rotatablymounted on said shaft, means for driving the sleeve independently of thedriving shaft means. a grooved member secured to said sleeve, a carriagemovable longitudinally of the shaft and sleeve comprising a toothengaging the groove of said member, and means controlled by the movementof said carriage for securing the sleeve and shaft together whereby thesleeve and shaft may be separately driven at different times and may beengaged for simultaneous movement during other operations. 25. Acounting mechanism for a slide fastener element setting machinecomprising a shaft, a gear secured to the shaft for driving it, a sleeverotatably mounted on said shaft, a member having a grooved surfacesecured to said sleeve and rotatable therewith, a member having a toothengaging said groove and movable longitudinally of the shaft uponrotation of the sleeve, means for turning the sleeve independently ofthe shaft during the element setting periods of the machine, meansactuated by the longitudinally moving element for securing the shaft andsleeve together, and means responsive to the movement oi' the shaft whenso locked to the sleeve for interrupting the movement of the sleeveturnillilg 1iiettns and actuating the gear attached to the s a 26. Acounting mechanism for a slide fastener element setting machinecomprising a shaft, a gear secured to the shaft for driving it, a sleeverotatably mounted on said shaft, a grooved surface secured to saidsleeve and rotatable therewith, a member having a tooth engaging saidgroove and movable longitudinally of the shaft upon rotation of thesleeve, means for turning the sleeve independently of the shaft duringthe element setting periods of the machine, means actuated by thelongitudinally moving element to lock the shaft and sleeve, meansresponsive to the movement of the shaft when so locked to the sleeve forinterrupting the movement of the sleeve turning means and actuating thegear attached to the shaft. and means responsive to continued movementof said shaft for disengaging-the actuating gear and restoring theindependent movement of the sleeve and associated parts.

27. A counting mechanism for a slide fastener element setting machine,comprising a shaft, a gear secured to the shaft for driving it, a sleeverotatably mounted on said shaft, a grooved surface secured to saidsleeve'and rotatable therewith, a member having a tooth engaging saidgroove and movable longitudinally of the shaft wheel and actuating thegear attached to the shaft.

28. A counting mechanism for a slide fastener elementA setting machinecomprising a shaft, a

gear secured to the shaft for driving it, a sleeve ro- Cil tatablymounted on said'shaft, a grooved surface on said sleeve and rotatabletherewith, a member having a tooth engaging said groove and movablelongitudinally of the shaft upon rotation of the sleeve, a ratchet wheelfor turning the sleeve independently ofthe shaft during the elementsetting periods of the machine, means actuated by the longitudinallymoving element for locking the shaft and sleeve, means responsive to themovement of the shaft when so locked to the sleeve for interrupting themovement of the sleeve turning ratchet wheel and actuating the gearattached to the shaft, and means responsive to continued movement ofsaid shaft for disengaging the actuating gear and restoring theindependent movement of the sleeve and associated parts.

29. A counting and re-setting mechanism for a slide fastener settingmechanism comprising a shaft, a sleeve rotatably mounted thereon, apivotally mounted frame straddling said shaft and sleeve, a carriagemounted on said frame for movement longitudinally of the shaft inresponse to the turning movement of the sleeve, resilient means foropposing movement of the carriage,

means for normally turning the-sleeve, means responsive to the movementof the carriagefor connecting the sleeve and shaft. means responsive tothe movement of the shaftfwhen so connected with the sleeve fordiscontinuing movement of the sleeve and connecting the shaft to asource of power, means responsive to movement of the shaft for turningthe frame to release the carriage whereupon the resilient means expandsand returns the carriage to its initial position relative to the sleeve,and means forl disengaging the shaft f from 4the source of power andrestoring a driving l connection to the sleeve.

30. n counting mechanism for a slide fastener element setting machinecomprising a mechanism normally lactuated in synchronlsm with theelement setting operations of the machine, means operable afterapredetermined number of setting operations to connect the firstmechanism to a second mechanism for driving component parte of themachine at a diderent speed. means associated with the second mechanismpermitting the re-setting of the first mechanism and for restoring thefirst mechanism to its operating condition at the end of a denitemovement of the second' mechanism.

3l. A counting mechanism for a slide fastener setting machine compng ashaft, a. sleeve rotatably mounted thereon and carrying a groove on itsouter surface, a ratchet wheel for turning the sleeve, a carriagemountedfor longitudinal movement lof `the shaft' in accordance withtheturning movement of the sleeve, springs resisting the'longitudinalmovement of the carriage, means controlled by the movement of thecarriage for connecting the shaft and the sleeve whereby 'the sleeveinitially drives the shaft, means rendered operative upon the movementof the shaft for connecting the shaft to a source l of power andstopping the actuation of the' sleeve,

means rendered operative upon the movement of the shaft for releasingthe from the grooved surface and permitting it to return to its initialposition by reason of expansion of the springs and also disengaging thedriving connection between the shaft and the sleeve, and means renderedoperative upon further movement of the shaft for disengaglng the shaftfrom the source l of power thereby controlling the cycle of operationsof the connected apparatus. i

`32. A slide fastener setting machine comprising a continuously drivenpower shaft, a second shaft, element setting means and tape feedingmeans connected to the second shaft, a third shaftvfor driving the tapefeeding means at a different speed selectively connectible to the powershaft, counting mechanism for controlling the connection of the secondand third men-.- tioned shafts to the main power shaft comprising ashaft connected to the third-mentionedlshaflt,

a sleeve mounted on the last-mentioned shaft and rotatable relativethereto,-means for rotating the sleeve in accordance with the movementof the second-mentioned shaft and in synchronism with the movement ofthe clamping mechanism and the normal movements of the tape feedingmechanism, and means controlled by the movement of `the sleeve forconnecting the sleeve Iand associated shaft and causing them to move asa unit, means brought into operation by the counting mechanismwhile-'the sleeve and the shaft areconnected forconnecting thethirdmentioned Vshaft to the main drive shaft and disconnecting thesecond-mentioned shaft from the main drive shaft, means operable uponcontinued movement of the third-mentioned shaft to permit re-setting ofthe counting mechanism and the release of the sleeve and its associatedshaft, and means responsive to further movement of the third-mentionedshaft for disconnecting it from the main source of power and connectingthe second-mentioned shaft to the source of power for completing thecycle of operation of the machine. f v

33. A slide fastener setting machine comprising a continuously drivenpower shaft, a second shaft, element setting means and tape feedingmeans connected to the secondi shaft, a third shaft for driving the tapefeeding mechanism at a different speed selectively connectible to thepower shaft, and counting mechanism for controlling the connection ofthe second and third mentioned shafts to the main power shaft comprisinga shaft connected to the third-mentioned shaft, a sleeve mounted on thelast-mentioned shaft and rotatable relative thereto, means for rotatingthe sleeve in accordance with the movement of the second-mentioned shaftand in synchronism with the movements of the clamping `vmechanism andthe normal movements of the shaft, means responsive to further movementof the third-mentioned shaft for disconnecting it lfrom the main sourceof power and connecting the second-mentioned shaft to the source ofpower for completing the cycle of operations of the machine, and meansfor controlling the supply of slide fastener elements to the clamplngmeans actuated by the counting mechanism.

34.` In a slide fastener setting machine, a main power shaft, a secondshaft selectively connectible thereto. fastener element setting .meansactuated by the second-mentioned shaft, tape feeding means connected tothe second-mentioned shaft for one speed of operation, a third shaftselectively connectible to the main drive shaft for driving the tapefeeding means at a higher speed,

and means for controlling the connections of the second and thirdmentioned shafts with the power shaft comprising a cam actuated lever, acamr for operating the lever, z'neans for actuating the said camcomprising a shaft on which the cam is mounted, a sleeve rotatablymounted on the shaft, means for normally driving the sleeve from thesecond-mentioned shaft, and means `operablev upon movement of saidsleeve for connecting the sleeve and shaft to turn the cam, andconnecting means between the main drive shaft and the second and thirdmentioned shafts responsive to the position of said lever for initiallydisconnecting the second shaft, connecting the third-mentioned shaft tothe power shaft, driving the cam supporting shaft and subsequentlyrestoring the ini necting the sleeve and shaft, means rendered operableupon the connection of the sleeve and shaft for disconnecting the sleeveand connecting the shaft to a source of power, movement of the shaftpermitting'the disconnection ofthe shaft and sleeve and cooperatingmeans carried by the shaft and sleeve for insuring the properpositioning of the sleeve at the end of a predetermined movement of theshaft, continued movement of the shaft serving to disconnect it from thesource of power and reconnect the sleeve to the source of power.

36. In a slide fastener element setting mechanism, a base plate having apedestal for the reception of Va chute extending at substantially rightangles thereto and having a slot shaped in cross section to permit thepassage of elements in single file, and pairs of legs of unequal lengthsfor the base plate, the pair of longer legs being disposed in front of.the chute pedestal whereby the mounted chute, while in rectangularrelation to the base plate, is mounted at an angle to the horizontal tocause the elements in the chute to bearagainst the rear wall thereof.

CARL ANDERSON. GEORGE B. BAEHR. GILBIIANv M. GAY. CHARLES T. MANVILLE.

